Samoa Super Rugby clash a chance to give back

For many players, tonight's historic Super Rugby match between the Blues and Reds in Samoa will be much more than just another game.

The Blues region is home to about 150,000 Samoans while the team itself has a number of players with Samoan heritage, as well as head coach Tana Umaga.

"We've seen the amount of Samoan players that are playing overseas and it's good to take something back to the islands," he said.

"We saw it with obviously other teams going to Fiji and now it's Samoa's time. It will showcase what they can do and how they can cater for these big games, which is a positive," said Tana Umaga.

The family of Blues and All Black lock Patrick Tuipolotu emigrated to New Zealand from Samoa.

The 24 year old was bestowed the chiefly title of Sa'u, from the village of Apolima last year.

"To be able to go back home and pretty much give back: you see a lot of polynesian boys play for top teams like the All Blacks, Aussie, all over the world," he said.

"And to go back and see where we come from I think will be a big part of getting up to play there."

Blues fullback Melani Nanai was born in Apia and represented Samoa at Under 20s level while Blues brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane are the sons of former Samoan international Eddie Ioane, who was a part of the 1991 World Cup side.

Prop Pauliasi Manu is on his first visit to Samoa.

"I'm Tongan - a little bit of Samoan on my mum's side, so this is a privilege to be here for the first time...they think I look Samoan so I think the people are claiming that I am," he laughed.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 32 degrees in Apia on Friday and should still be in the high twenties come kick-off at 8:30pm local time.